Milo and Iron: What Childcare Centres Need to Know
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
Childcare centres are busy, and in busy rooms, Milo can look like an “easy nutrition boost”. Educators and Managers might feel Milo is good if it means that fussy eaters get milk into their diets or extra calories for growth.
When a childcare centre is dealing with a bunch of children who may have sensory issues, are under-eaters, or just managing tight schedules, Milo can feel like a quick and practical solution. However, what providing Milo in childcare can do is instead train children to expect sweet drinks and displace more nutrient-dense food options.
‘Milo is the best source of iron for kids’ or ‘We give the vegetarian children Milo to meet their iron requirements’. As Dietitians, we’ve heard it all. But is Milo really an iron supplement for suitable for childcare? Let’s dive in.
Why Iron Is Important for Young Children
Iron might be a small nutrient, but it plays a big role in early childhood. Iron helps to carry oxygen around the body, which supports brain development and keeps energy levels steady.
For young children, iron is essential for learning, growth, and immune health.
Low iron levels can lead to tiredness, poor concentration and irritability. Over time, an iron deficiency can affect a child’s development, growth, and learning. Since children grow rapidly in the early years, their iron needs are proportionately higher than adults.
This is why many dietary guidelines for childcare centres mention iron-rich foods.
In NSW, guidelines encourage including iron‑rich foods as part of healthy menus.
In Victoria, guidelines encourage foods that contain iron each day for infants eating solids, including iron‑fortified cereals, pureed meats, legumes, tofu or eggs.
Many fussy eaters are perceived as “not eating enough”, therefore Milo can feel like an easy and straightforward solution. However, relying on Milo can also raise its own set of concerns.
What is Milo?
Milo is a chocolate malt drink made, packed with malt, cocoa, and vitamins for energy. It’s a beloved Australian staple. Aussies all ages enjoy it hot, cold, or even sprinkled on ice cream. Fortified with nutrients like calcium, and B vitamins, and iron making it a popular choice for a quick energy boost.
The iron is added as during processing, thus providing a decent amount of iron per serve. But there’s more to consider. . .
Concerns about Milo as an iron supplement in childcare
Filling up on milk
Milo is usually served with milk, which makes it filling. With children already having small appetites, providing milky Milo prior to meals, might mean that children could have reduced appetite for a proper main meal. Don’t get us wrong, we absolutely want to encourage children to drink milk.
Milk is a valuable source of calcium and other essential nutrients. However, timing and portion size matter. Serving Milo too close to mealtime or in large quantities may inadvertently displace other foods, limiting the variety and balance in their diet.
Calcium affects iron absorption
When Milo is made with milk, the milk might counteract the iron. Milk is high in calcium, and calcium competes with iron for absorption in the body. Serving Milo alongside iron-rich foods, or offering it too close to meals, may reduce the overall iron absorption from those foods.
It’s not a reason to avoid milk altogether, rather, it highlights the importance of timing and pairing. Encouraging children to enjoy milk at separate times from iron-rich meals can help them get the best of both nutrients. So, if you’re serving Milo with milk as an iron supplement, there’s no iron benefit to the children.
The Added sugar
Milo contains added sugar, and regular use can increase sugar intake. For young children, whose taste preferences are still developing, frequent exposure to sweetened drinks may encourage a preference for sugary foods and drinks, potentially displacing healthier options.
Shifts the focus away from food
Any drinks should not be a replacement for meals as the main nutrient source. Whole foods will support better dietary habits and health in the long run.
For those who offer Milo as an iron supplement to children in care, we know your intentions are good — you want children to grow healthy and strong. That said, Milo isn’t the best option for regular iron intake in the childcare setting. It can be enjoyed occasionally as a treat, but relying on a variety of whole foods is a better way to support children’s growth and overall wellbeing.
Foods That Contain Iron
Helping children get enough iron doesn’t have to be complicated — there are plenty of foods that can do the job! Iron can come from both animal sources and plants or fortified products.
From animal foods - Iron is more easily absorbed from animal foods. Some examples include:
Red meat sources: Beef, kangaroo, lamb, corned beef
Pork, poultry, fish
From Plant foods and fortified products - Iron from these sources isn’t absorbed quite as easily as from animal foods, but they’re still valuable additions to a child’s diet. Examples include:
Iron-fortified cereal and bread
Wholemeal pasta
Wholemeal flour
Wholemeal/wholegrain bread, legumes
Lentils, chickpeas, beans
Spinach and leafy greens
Special mention: Vitamin C
Vitamin C plays a unique role in that it helps the body to absorb iron from plant foods and iron-fortified products. When serving a plant-based protein, consider serving a food containing vitamin C at the same meal. Ensure that it is served raw, as heating the food destroys the vitamin C.
Here are some examples of Vitamin C that you can combine with iron sources:
Vegetables: Cauliflower, broccoli, tomatoes, capsicum
Fruits: Citrus, strawberries, kiwifruit, dried fruit
Read more about Vitamin C.
Iron‑rich foods as part of healthy childcare menus
There are many other more nutritious foods that can be used to provide additional iron for children. Including a variety of these foods helps support healthy growth and strong bodies.
Iron can be included in simple ways:
Spaghetti bolognese with lean beef / lentils
Beef/chicken and vegetable curries
Lentil dhal with rice
Baked beans on toast
Iron-fortified cereals with fruit
Other ideas to include iron in children’s diets:
Add spinach/oats to muffins
Pancakes with oats/eggs/spinach
Hummus on a fortified bread
Pasta sauce made with spinach/lentils/chickpeas
Making bliss balls with iron-fortified cereals
Need More Support?
We know recipe and menu planning can be tricky, especially when it comes to navigating common iron and calcium challenges. Figuring out all the ins and outs of nutrients is complicated enough, without also juggling allergies, budgets, busy kitchens, and fussy eaters. That’s where we come in to make it a little easier for you.
OSCAR Care Group’s Accredited Practising Dietitians can support childcare centres in ensuring nutritional requirements to support children’s growth are met by assisting in planning and reviewing menus with practical advice.
If you would like help with recipe and menu planning, reach out to an OSCAR Care Group Accredited Practising Dietitian! We are here to support healthy and happy mealtimes.
Download Munch & Move's Iron Resource and Iron and Vitamin C Resource.